A sneak peek at networks' new fall lineup

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SALT LAKE CITY -- The major networks have announced their new fall season shows, and it seems that there will be some hits but more misses. Many of the new shows are sitcoms or dramas, with only one reality show included on the list. Unfortunately, it seems the networks had the same ideas for their new shows, with some shows appearing to have very similar storylines and plot setups while others are remakes. Very few of the shows appear to be true “original” programming.

ABC is scheduled to release seven new shows in the fall, but most do not have recognizable names attached to them. The network is banking on Tim Allen’s return to TV to succeed in the comedy "Last Man Standing." The story revolves around Mike, to be played by Allen, who is a “man’s man living in a woman’s world” with his wife and three daughters. While this show might prove to be one of the more successful of the lineup, it seems a lot like "Home Improvement," which aired on ABC 20 years ago.

The other comedies on the ABC schedule include "Man Up," a show about three grown men who try to show how real men should be; and "Suburgatory," about a high-school-aged girl who, along with her single father, move from New York City to the suburbs. Both of these shows don’t have star actors to carry them and may suffer because of that.

Other possible hits will most likely come in the form of the remade "Charlie’s Angels," starring Minka Kelly, or the drama "Pan Am" with Christina Ricci. "Charlie’s Angels," a reboot of the original 1970s series, is set in Miami and promising action as well as some drama and comedy. "Pan Am" tells the story of stewardesses on one of the largest airlines during the initial jet age of the 1960s. Finally, "Once Upon a Time" has potential because the producing team from "Lost" is working on the show, in which fairytales and modern day collide.

CBS is one of the networks that seem to be using the same type of ideas as other networks or recycling old shows and making them new. They also do not have any “star power” to help carry the shows. "2 Broke Girls" is the comedic story of two unlikely friends working as waitresses. One is an heiress while the other is from a much more humble background. "How to Be a Gentleman" appears to be very similar to ABC’s "Man Up," as two men from different backgrounds teach each other how to act. However, The casting of this show is strong, with Rhys Darby ("Flight of the Conchords") playing a supporting role.

Other shows that may seem familiar to the audiences are dramatic shows. "Unforgettable" is yet another cop show, in which the main character has a photographic memory and helps the police with investigations — seemingly similar to current shows like "Castle" and "The Mentalist," in which outsiders help police in various ways. In "A Gifted Man," a surgeon talks with his ex-wife only to find out that she died two weeks before he began talking to her. Only the surgeon can see her spirit as she helps him in his life and tries to obtain closure (think "The Ghost Whisperer").

The show that might carry the CBS lineup is "Person of Interest," which stars Jim Caviezel and is produced by J.J. Abrams. It may appear that this is just one more cop show in the already crowded landscape of cop shows, but this show should be able to keep audiences hooked as two normal citizens risk their lives to protect the public.

NBC has a strong comedy lineup of new shows, with a mix of veteran talent and new faces. The best of the three new comedies may be "Up All Night," which is written and produced by "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" regulars. Big-time (or at least recognizable) stars Christina Applegate, Maya Rudolph and Will Arnett star in this comedy about new parents who are trying to prove that they still have a good love life after the birth of their child. "Free Agents" stars veteran funnyman Hank Azaria in a workplace comedy about life and dating. Both new shows will air on Wednesday nights before the networks’ main comedy night on Thursday.

The most intriguing show for NBC might be "The Playboy Club," set in 1960s Chicago. This show has the potential to polarize some viewers based on the show's content, which revolves around the establishment of the Playboy empire and the real Playboy Club, which was a big part of the '60s culture. The show will be dramatic and very adult-oriented, including rumors that nudity will be required by the cast. The Parents Television Council has already taken a stance against the show, claiming that it is “a blatant attempt to obliterate any remaining standards of broadcast decency and KSL has chosen to not air the show stating the station's brand is "completely inconsistent" with Playboy's brand.

Fox is the only major network to include any reality television programming in the new season schedule, and they also have some other promising shows scheduled. "The X Factor," featuring former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell should be an instant hit. Based on a show of the same name in Britain, this singing competition show is different than "Idol" in that the auditions take place in front of thousands of fans and not just the judges. With the success of "Idol" (just recently finished the 10th season) in the spring every year, "The X Factor" should become a mainstay in the fall lineup, giving Fox shows about singing throughout the year.

The comedy shows for Fox will be a mixed bag along with the other networks. "New Girl" starring Zooey Deschanel and Damon Wayans Jr., has potential to be very funny. "I Hate My Teenage Daughter," starring Jaime Pressley, is about two single mothers and their teenage daughters, while the animated "Allen Gregory" is another Sunday-night cartoon to fill time between regulars like "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy." Fox’s latest animated comedies haven’t fared very well, which doesn’t indicate that this show will not be any different.

Fox also has "Terra Nova," a hyped science fiction-drama. Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, the show is set in the future when all life on earth is facing extinction. To combat this extinction, scientists create a portal that allows people to travel back in time to create a human colony. Unfortunately, the portal sends the colonists directly into an area populated with dinosaurs. It seems to be combination of older shows like "Stargate" and "The Lost World," but Fox wants this show to succeed with the per-budget episode reportedly reaching $4 million.

All in all, the networks have given the viewers plenty of options to choose from. It will ultimately be up to the ratings which shows survive and which get cancelled. Landon Walters is a history and political science major currently studying at Salt Lake Community College and is an avid sports fan. He can be reached at mavericksoccer_22@hotmail.com or on twitter at www.twitter.com/LandawgDew.